Chinese character handwriting recognition system

Abstract

A handwritten Chinese character input method and system is provided to allow users to enter Chinese characters to a data processor by adding less than three strokes and one selection movement such as mouse clicking or stylus or finger tapping. The system is interactive, predictive, and intuitive to use. By adding one or two strokes which are used to start writing a Chinese character, or in some case even no strokes are needed, users can find a desired character from a list of characters. The list is context sensitive. It varies depending on the prior character entered. Compared to other existing systems, this system can save users considerable time and efforts to entering handwritten characters.

1 . A Chinese character handwriting input system, comprising: 
 recognition means for recognizing a category of handwriting stroke from a predefined number of stroke categories;    recognition means for recognizing one or more categories of handwriting stroke from a predefined number of stroke categories;    collection means for organizing a list of characters that commonly start with said more than one recognized category of handwriting stroke, said list of characters being displayed in a predefined sequence, wherein said predefined sequence is based on any of:    number of strokes necessary to write out a character;    use frequency of a character; and    contextual relation to the last character entered; and    selection means for selecting a desired character from said list of characters.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 wildcard entry means for matching any stroke category.    
   
   
       3 . A Chinese character handwriting input system, comprising: 
 recognition means for recognizing a category of handwriting stroke from a predefined number of stroke categories; and    collection means for organizing a list of characters that commonly start with one or more recognized categories of handwriting stroke, said list of characters being displayed in a predefined sequence, wherein said predefined sequence is based on any of:    number of strokes necessary to write out a character;    use frequency of a character; and    contextual relation to the last character entered;    selection means for selecting a desired character from said list of characters;    wherein said predetermined number of stroke categories comprise more than five basic categories.    
   
   
       4 . A method for inputting handwritten Chinese characters, comprising the steps of: 
 adding a stroke into a pattern recognition system;    categorizing said added stroke into one of a predefined number of stroke categories;    finding characters based on frequency of character use; and    displaying a list of found characters.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: 
 if a desired character is in said list, selecting said desired character from said list;    if a desired character is not visible in said list, adding another stroke; and    displaying another list of found characters.    
   
   
       6 . The method  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a numeric or iconic representation for a stroke that is added; and    displaying full stroke numeric or iconic representation for a character that is selected.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: 
 if a desired character is in said list, either of selecting said desired character from said list or adding another stroke and displaying another list of found characters.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 retaining an ink trail of each stroke that is added until a character is selected.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of: 
 color coding each ink trail either to indicate a level of confidence or differentiation in said categorization step.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 prompting a user to clarify between ambiguous stroke interpretations and/or to remedy a stroke's misinterpretation.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing means for removing one or more strokes of an input stroke sequence in reverse order.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing means for matching any of Latin letters, punctuation symbols, and emoticons with predefined or user-defined stroke sequences.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 selecting a character from said list with a user gesture;    wherein said user gesture allows said user to begin entry of strokes for a next character.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing user-defined gestures for any of stroke categories, sequences of strokes, and character components.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing means for explicit selection of stroke categories.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 displaying character components that start with one or more recognized stroke categories;    wherein selecting a character component results in the display of only the characters containing or starting with said selected component.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of: 
 allowing alternative stroke sequences for character or character component entry.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 4 , said step of finding characters based on frequency of use further comprising the step of: 
 finding said characters based on context.